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Speaking in the Commons, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the disruption caused to flights at Gatwick was "deliberate, irresponsible and calculated, as well as illegal".

He said: "I'm very clear that when caught those responsible should face the maximum possible custodial sentence for this hugely irresponsible criminal act."

Mr Grayling said the Ministry of Defence remains "on standby" to deal with any further problems at Gatwick or elsewhere as he sought to reassure MPs that national airports are prepared to deal with a repeat.

As he outlined the proposals to deal with drones, Mr Grayling said: "I am clear the Government is taking action to ensure that passengers have confidence their journeys will not be disrupted in future, aircraft can safely use our key transport hubs and criminals misusing drones can be brought to justice."

Mr Grayling said the issue at Gatwick was solved by "some smart and innovative use of new technology", but declined to reveal what this was for "security reasons".

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He said: "Announcing the end of a consultation exercise doesn't constitute action - nor does it go any way to restoring confidence in his capabilities."

He criticised Mr Grayling's "dithering and delay" and said it is "stark-staringly obvious that this Secretary of State is not up to the job".

Tory MP Julian Lewis, who chairs the Commons defence committee, warned that a "jihadist organisation" could use drones to launch an attack.

He said: "At the moment it would be possible for anybody to go on the internet to buy a simple but substantial device which they could use maliciously, not as in this case to try and close down an airport but to fly into the engine intakes of a plane that was landing or taking off."